​​Support for Sequoia Hospital Staff Members

Through personal experiences both Berdine and Cliff, who have benefited from exceptional care at Sequoia Hospital, believe that nurses should treat their patients with kindness, empathy, respect and dignity, and listen to their needs. They established this award to inspire nursing staff candidates to step up and take their customer service to the next level by striving to exceed the expectations of their patients.

Awardees exemplify characteristics such as:

  • Respect and courtesy
  • Flexibility as opposed to rigidity
  • Helpfulness
  • Noticing issues and solving them (a can-do attitude)
  • Empathy
  • Attentiveness
  • Exhibiting a positive attitude
  • Listening skills
  • Communication skills

About the Jernigans

Berdine and Cliff have called the mid-Peninsula home for over half a century. Berdine taught elementary school classes between 1964 and 1978, until she decided to pursue a career in real estate, which she had been doing ever since. Cliff received his law degree from Hastings Law School, followed by a Master of Laws degree at New York University in tax law. He practiced tax law until 1984, and thereafter began a second career in government policy, working with the high-tech industry. He also wrote three books related to international trade and taxes. For two decades Berdine and Cliff made Cabernet Sauvignon wine from grapes grown at their Woodside residence, before downsizing to a condominium in San Carlos in 2016. They are passionate about supporting nursing students and have been committed to the Kennett Nursing Scholarship Program.

How to Support

As a grateful patient, we welcome you to join the Jernigan’s in showcasing your appreciation for excellence of our nursing staff with a gift in support of the Jernigan Exceptional Nursing Awards. If you have any questions please contact Sukhie Bal at 650.367.5719 or email Sukhie.Bal@CommonSpirit.org